Black-Bart

The construction of a Majestic-class Interdictor in the Mundjiga system requires generous quantities of tantalum, gallium and indium. Threats of piracy and violent protest have already reached the system.
To counter these threats, a collective of former security contractors known as the Praetorians have committed their forces to defending Mundjiga and the traders operating there. Loren’s Legion, an extension of the Prism defence force, will operate jointly with the Praetorians, protecting traders sourcing tantalum from Prism.
Duke Alden Rowe, leader of the Praetorians, gave the following statement to the press:
“Loyal members of the Imperial Navy Auxiliary, we cannot permit interference with the construction of this critical asset. We must enforce Imperial law and the will of Admiral Patreus by protecting vessels delivering cargo to Sagan Port. We will be a shield for this new Interdictor until it is ready to be a shield for the Empire.”
Commander Corrigendum, Loren’s LegionUpdate from Galnet News

Dr Arcanonn of the Canonn Interstellar Research Group has expressed solidarity with Professor Ishmael Palin, following the latter’s decision to retire from the Palin Institute and pursue personal research into the Unknown Artefacts and meta-alloys.
“It is unfortunate that the professor has been forced to make this decision, but given the existence of the ‘dark forces’ to which he refers, I support him wholeheartedly.”
“I have long been concerned that there are people out there with greater knowledge of the UAs and meta-alloys, and with darker intentions. The secretive convoys, Palin’s abduction, the unexplained increases in the black market value of UAs, the purchase of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of meta-alloys at Obsidian Orbital, and the death threats I received – all are troubling.”
“We mourn the fact that scientists feel the need to retreat to continue their work, but I look forward to visiting the professor on Maia A 3 a.”
Command Lord ZoltanUpdate from Galnet News

Following weeks of tireless meta-alloy harvesting, a team working under the direction of Professor D Luffy at Bond Hub in the Varati system has finally been able to match the success achieved by the teams at Obsidian Orbital.
In a brief interview, Professor Luffy said:
“We knew it was only a matter of time before we managed to get Bond Hub fully operational again, but it took many Commanders to get us there. We can’t thank everyone enough for the hours they’ve spent transporting meta-alloys between the Pleiades and Varati – a journey that’s by no means easy!”
Other affected stations have renewed their appeals for meta-alloys, no doubt hoping that this nuisance will soon be eradicated from our lives.
Commander Lord ZoltanUpdate from Galnet News

An Alliance spokesperson has announced that the campaign to establish a new outpost received the wholehearted support of the galactic community. The spokesperson confirmed that significant quantities of robotics, semi conductors and auto fabricators were delivered to Noti Dock, allowing construction of the new station to begin.
Harlyn Tavistok, a member of the Alliance Assembly who has been overseeing the campaign, released a brief statement to the media:
“We are extremely grateful for the public’s support, which has been integral to the success of this campaign. Construction of the new outpost is scheduled to begin at once. Soon we will have a valuable new resource in the sector.”
But the success of the campaign has been overshadowed by criticism from Imperial and Federal commentators, who questioned the purpose of the new outpost. Some have asked whether the Alliance’s avowed intention to ‘maintain awareness’ is in fact an allusion to monitoring Imperial and Federal activity. Others have speculated that the outpost campaign might be the first phase of an expansion initiative.
Harlyn Tavistok declined to address the rumours.Update from Galnet News

The United Epsilon Indi Flag has announced that its campaign to decriminalise Indi Bourbon received the full support of the galactic community. Hundreds of pilots responded to the group’s appeal for help, flooding Mansfield Orbiter with illegal rare liquors in protest against the Federal decision to restrict the sale of the popular bourbon.
Yulia ‘The Needle’ Kuriakova, a spokesperson for the organisation, released a brief statement:
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the reclassification of Indi Bourbon, thanks in no small part to the hundreds of Pilots Federation members who answered our call. Corporations need to learn that they cannot undermine long-held traditions just to line their own corrupt pockets. It is no small irony that those same officials accepted bribes to legitimise Indi Bourbon.”Update from Galnet News

A Fuel Rats public relations official has announced that the collective has now succeeded in rescuing more than 10,000 stranded pilots.
Comprising a widespread network of voluntary search and rescue agents, the Fuel Rats has maintained a success rate of over 95% since its foundation in June 3301. On average, the group saves 36 pilots a day.
“The Fuel Rats is the only collective entirely dedicated to such rescues,” said the representative. “For a cooperative based on volunteers, donations and goodwill to reach such a milestone in less than a year is impressive.”
“When I look back at our anarchic beginnings, and see this ragtag bunch of misfit explorers expand into this remarkable cooperative, I am humbled.”
The representative also explained that the group is planning a memorial service for all those the Fuel Rats failed to save. The service is currently planned for the 5th of May 3302 and is scheduled to run for one week.
Commander KerennUpdate from Galnet News

An escape pod containing Canonn scientist Shannon Day has been miraculously recovered by an explorer named Commander Josh Hawkins, according to transmissions received from his ship.
In his transmissions, Commander Hawkins revealed that he was able to extract Shannon Day’s pilot log from her escape pod. From this he discovered that her ship had been sabotaged by Socha Korbemile, the former Canonn member who betrayed Dr Arcanonn.
Now, the Canonn Interstellar Research Group has announced that two scientists – Commanders Bowen the Kotoc and Julian McCoy – have been dispatched to find Commander Hawkins and bring Day’s escape pod home to Thompson Dock in the Varati system.
When news of Day’s rescue reached Dr Arcanonn, he requested that her escape pod be recovered as quickly as possible, but it is not yet known why she is so important to the scientist.
Commander Lord ZoltanUpdate from Galnet News

Commander turkwinif, flying an Anaconda specially outfitted for long-distance hyperspace jumps, has become the first pilot to reach Rho Cassiopeiae. The class-F hypergiant star is notable for being visible to the naked eye from Earth, and for being positioned in a particularly hard-to-reach area of what explorers call the Formidine Rift.
Many pilots have previously tried to reach Rho Cassiopeiae, and their lack of success led many to consider the star beyond the reach of current technology. Commander turkwinif reported that reaching the system required careful route planning and the use of numerous FSD fuel injections.
Commander Finn McMillanUpdate from Galnet News

Authorities at Fozard Dock in the HIP 19934 system have announced the immediate suspension of all services due to Unknown Artefact-related interference. Starport personnel have confirmed that only docking and shipyard access remain available. This brings the total number of starports closed as a result of the technological plague to 12. The affected stations are:
Fozard Dock, HIP 19934
Irens Dock, Manite
Ackerman Market, Eravate
von Bellingshausen Port, Almar
Haack Gateway, Halbangaay
Gabriel Enterprise, Harma
Gurragchaa Gateway, Warkushanui
Gaiman Dock, 49 Arietis
Weyn Dock, 64 Arietis
Korolyov Hub, Arawere
Lobachevsky Outpost, Pic Tok
Carter Port, Rhea
Meanwhile, the following starports are still experiencing technical issues:
Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843
Bloch Vision, Loperada
Love Ring, Evejitaka
Robigo Mines, Robigo
Saunders’s Dive, Wolf 1301
Skvortsov Orbital, 63 G. Capricorni
Hinz Hub, Ngobe
Update from Galnet News

Harlyn Tavistok, a senior member of the Alliance Assembly, has announced plans to establish a new outpost on the fringes of inhabited space. According to Tavistok, the new station will provide the Alliance with “a vitally important new resource, significantly bolstering our reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.” An Alliance spokesperson provided further details:
“Monitoring activity within human-inhabited space is of central importance to our continued security, but this particular sector currently contains a limited number of operational outposts. Our new station will address this issue.”
“To support this campaign, we have placed open orders via our partners at for Robotics, Semi Conductors and Auto Fabricators. Pilots who deliver these essential commodities to our base of operations at Noli Dock will be generously compensated.”
The campaign begins on the 14th April 3302 and will run for one week.Update from Galnet News